Foreign Relations of the United States : 1918 The Conclusion of the Peace of Brest Litovsk The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State

File No. 763.72119/1540

The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

VOLOGDA, April 2, 1918, 5 p.m.

[Received April 4, 2.55 a.m.]

67. Russian reply to German protest against my declaration stated latter only a repetition of " the President's well-known message to Soviet Congress" but I think the President's message to Russian people through Congress was intended to prevent ratification by expressing good will and encouragement while my declaration was made after peace ratification, intended to inspire dissatisfaction with ratification and as Germany claims was virtual appeal to continue hostilities. Germany's rejoinder to Russian reply merely reiterates first charge. Think incident closed. Have received no expression even indirectly from Soviet government except Robins's telegram that declaration was gratifying to the government which was mystifying as declaration disapproved government action. This indicates peace distasteful to Russian government and ratified on each [as?] breathing spell, as Lenin said, meaning however breathing spell condemning [permitting?] prosecution of world-wide social revolution.